As a multicultural country, Singapore’s immigration policy maintains a balanced population structure (approximately 70% to 80% Chinese) while imposing particularly strict screening criteria on Indian applicants:
The number of PR spots available to Indians is limited, and their approval rate is significantly lower than that of other groups. Additionally, while the ONE Pass—a top-tier talent visa with extremely high requirements (monthly salary must reach S$30,000)—remains highly competitive, Indian applicants must also provide additional proof of their long-term commitment to settling in Singapore and their level of social integration.
However, in May 2025, an Indian-origin executive holding a ONE Pass successfully obtained PR status for himself and his family of three, setting a benchmark case where policy rigor and talent inclusivity coexist.
1. Top Talent Platform: ONE Pass Lays a Solid Foundation
The main applicant in this case was born in India but, leveraging his Australian nationality and background as a regional technical management executive, was approved for the ONE Pass in 2023 with a monthly salary exceeding 30,000 Singapore dollars. This status served as a “golden stepping stone” for his PR application.
It is worth noting that Indian applicants often face higher rejection risks due to nationality quota restrictions, but ONE Pass holders, with their “top talent” label, can overcome some implicit barriers.
In this case, the applicant emphasized their long-term leadership role in a well-known multinational corporation (with a market value exceeding US$500 million), highlighting their irreplaceable value to Singapore’s economy, thereby clearing obstacles for the subsequent PR application.
2. Family-wide planning: addressing the core challenge of “commitment to settling in Singapore”
Indian families often face rejection due to “insufficient long-term commitment,” but this case broke the impasse through a “family of three applying simultaneously + a 10-year settlement plan.”
The principal applicant has been employed in Singapore since 2013, accumulating over a decade of local work experience; The spouse and children’s application materials detailed the children’s educational pathways, family homeownership timeline, and community engagement plans, emphasizing the family’s determination for the second generation to “root in Singapore.”
This strategy effectively addressed the ICA’s concerns about whether Indian applicants genuinely intend to settle in Singapore.
3. Exceptional Qualifications and Contributions: Transnational Recognition of Hard Power
The applicant has a strong background: both spouses hold master’s degrees and have solid professional backgrounds; the principal applicant holds a leadership role in technical management and has made significant contributions to regional business development. Their Australian nationality (born in India) also reflects the diversity of their background.
ICA’s approval is based on its high recognition of the applicant’s high skill level, sustained stable high income, significant professional contributions, and the family’s sincere commitment and willingness to integrate into Singapore’s long-term development.
Although Indian applicants often face stricter salary standards (e.g., a regular EP must reach SGD 6,000), the couple’s dual master’s degrees, the rarity of the principal applicant’s technical leadership position, and the family’s high tax contributions from annual income all served as key bonus factors.
ICA’s approval demonstrates that when professional value is sufficiently outstanding, the disadvantage of nationality background can be overcome.
Photo: Client successfully obtained PR; unauthorized use of this image will be prosecuted!
4. Key Success Factors: Differentiation Strategies for Indian Applicants
This case clearly illustrates the core logic of Singapore PR approval: exceptional personal capabilities must be combined with a deep commitment to Singapore’s long-term development. The ONE Pass serves as a “gateway” for top talent, demonstrating the applicant’s economic value and industry standing.
The ultimate key to obtaining PR approval lies in comprehensively convincing ICA reviewers through a long-term stable local work record (over ten years), family planning demonstrating a commitment to settling down (especially plans for the next generation’s integration), and the potential for continued social contributions.
This case reveals the core breakthrough for Indian families:
ONE Pass as the “golden ticket”: directly exempting certain competitive quota restrictions;
A ten-year plan replaces short-term commitments: demonstrating intergenerational roots through children’s education and property purchase plans;
Dual advantages of salary and industry: aligning with Singapore’s industrial upgrading needs in the technology management field.
The successful approval of this family of three is not only a significant milestone in the applicant’s career and family planning but also vividly reflects Singapore’s continued openness toward high-end talent and the core of its rigorous and pragmatic immigration policy:
attracting outstanding talent who genuinely align with and are willing to contribute to Singapore’s long-term development.
For individuals holding a ONE Pass or possessing equivalent expertise, clearly demonstrating personal achievements and a long-term commitment to integrating into the local community is the key to unlocking the door to Singaporean permanent residency.